Parks Canada is warning visitors to Lake Louise of the presence of a cougar in the region.
The cat has been observed near the Lake Louise shoreline trail, the Lake Agnes trail, the Fairview Lookout trail, and the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. Warning signs have been posted along trails in the area.
Cougars are natural predators and may pose a risk to people and pets. To minimize your risk of encountering a cougar, Parks Canada recommends visitors take the following precautions:
- Supervise children playing outdoors and don’t let children play near dense vegetation. Do not leave small children unattended.
- If you want to venture into the woods, we recommend you travel in groups of three or more and go during daylight hours only.
- Remember, cougars are solitary animals and are most active at dusk and dawn.
- Free-roaming pets may attract and be attacked by cougars. Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Walk your pets during the day and avoid wooded areas. Bring your pets inside at night.
- Don’t leave out any animal attractants such as pet food and garbage. Always use the wildlife-proof garbage bins.
- Talk to your children about what to do to if they encounter a cougar.
If you see a cougar:
- Do not approach the animal.
- Face the cougar, and retreat slowly, do NOT run or play dead.
- Try to appear bigger by holding your arms or an object above your head.
- Immediately pick up small children.
- Be aggressive. Shout, wave a stick or throw rocks to deter an attack.
- Contact Banff dispatch at 403-762-1470
With files from Parks Canada
